In a chilling reminder of the complexities surrounding immigration and crime, federal authorities have urged Miami-area law enforcement to comply with a detainer request for William Serrano Domenech. The illegal immigrant, already notorious for his criminal record, is now facing charges of murder after allegedly shooting a man in a fit of jealousy.
William Serrano Domenech, aged 49, currently resides in a Miami-Dade County jail. He stands accused of the August 17 killing of Raul Aballe, aged 42, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday.
“His criminal record is extensive, with convictions in Florida and Michigan for drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Moreover, he has faced previous arrests in New Mexico and Tennessee for aggravated assault, theft, and resisting arrest,” stated Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin in a press release to News Media. Mullin criticized the current administration by saying, “This dangerous criminal should have never been in our country. If he hadn’t been released from ICE custody in 2023 by the Biden Administration, Raul Aballe might still be alive today.”
The DHS identifies 49-year-old William Serrano Domenech, an illegal immigrant from Cuba, as the suspect in a deadly altercation in Miami. The incident resulted in murder charges against Domenech after an argument escalated fatally, according to official reports.
According to authorities, Domenech, a Cuban national, was spending time with a witness on the night of the incident when Raul Aballe unexpectedly arrived. Tensions flared, leading to a heated argument between the two. The confrontation rapidly deteriorated into violence as Domenech reportedly began to physically assault Aballe, first with punches and slaps.
Domenech allegedly pulled a gun out of a fanny pack and opened fire, striking Aballe in the stomach. Aballe was taken to a hospital where he later died.
Domenech allegedly fled the scene, but he was arrested the next day. He allegedly admitted to the killing and said he was jealous of Aballe’s relationship with the witness, according to authorities.
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The witness reportedly told investigators that Aballe was not armed and didn’t initiate the fight.
Domenech is charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer with Miami-Dade authorities the day after Domenech’s arrest.
His criminal history spans at least four states for a litany of offenses, DHS said. That includes a conviction for a weapons offense and arrests on charges of vehicle theft, burglary, driving without a license, and driving with a suspended license in Florida, as well as prior arrests on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and bribery of a witness in New Mexico.
In addition, Domenech has prior arrests for unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, and theft in Tennessee, and convictions for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute an unknown quantity of marijuana, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, and felon in possession of a firearm in Michigan, authorities said.
Domenech allegedly told authorities he entered the United States through Florida in 1995. A deportation order was issued by a judge in 2002.
However, when ICE took him into custody in 2023, he was released back onto the streets by the Biden administration, DHS said.
“ICE has lodged a detainer and will work with our partners in Florida to ensure that this killer is never again allowed back onto our streets,” Mullin said.